1 John 2:1-9

Keeping the New Commandment

1 My little children, I am writing these [things] to you in order that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous [one],

2 and he^[a] is the propitiation^[b] for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 The one who says "I have come to know him," and does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in this person.

5 But whoever keeps his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him.

6 The one who says [that he] resides in him ought also to walk just as that one walked.

7 Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the message which you have heard.

8 Again, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light already is shining.

9 The one who says [he] is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness until now.